In the sentence ‘I think it interesting to run’, you may wonder why the verb ‘be’ doesn’t follow ‘it’. While the sentence seems unusual at first glance, it follows a specific grammatical rule in English. In this article, we’ll break down the sentence structure and explain why the ‘be’ verb is not necessary here.
Understanding the Structure of ‘I think it interesting to run’
The sentence ‘I think it interesting to run’ is an example of a construction where an adjective (in this case, ‘interesting’) is used without a linking verb (‘be’). This structure is common in English when describing something in a more compact or informal way. Here, ‘interesting’ is acting as a predicative adjective that modifies the subject ‘it’.
In this case, ‘it’ refers to the idea or action of running. The structure of this sentence omits the ‘be’ verb that would typically be used in more formal or clear-cut constructions. Instead, the sentence relies on the adjective ‘interesting’ to convey the meaning directly.
When is the ‘be’ verb omitted?
The omission of the ‘be’ verb happens quite often in English, especially when the verb ‘think’ is used. In sentences like ‘I think it strange’, ‘I think it possible’, and ‘I think it important’, the adjective follows ‘it’ without the need for a linking verb. This is a grammatical feature that allows speakers to express ideas more efficiently.
In these cases, ‘interesting’ (or any other adjective) acts almost like a noun, describing a state or condition. The sentence ‘I think it interesting to run’ is grammatically correct in this simplified form, especially in casual or spoken English.
How to rephrase it for clarity
If you want to make the sentence more formal or clearer, you could use a linking verb. For example, you might say, ‘I think it is interesting to run.’ In this version, the verb ‘is’ connects ‘it’ to ‘interesting’, making the sentence more standard and easier to understand in formal writing or speech.
By adding the ‘be’ verb, you clarify that ‘interesting’ is a predicate adjective describing the subject ‘it’, which is the activity of running in this case.
Conclusion: The Role of ‘Be’ and Adjectives in English
The sentence ‘I think it interesting to run’ omits the ‘be’ verb as part of a common English structure where adjectives can directly describe a subject. This informal style is acceptable and widely used in spoken English. However, adding the ‘be’ verb, as in ‘I think it is interesting to run’, makes the sentence more formal and grammatically conventional.
Understanding these subtle differences in sentence structure helps learners of English navigate between formal and informal styles and choose the most appropriate construction depending on the context.
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